Golden Hills and Oaks Trees

Goauche on watercolor paper.

A summer path for World Watercolor Month today. I am always inspired by the golden hills and dark green oaks trees of California.

Poppies for World Watercolor Month

Gouache and watercolor in Strathmore journal.

California Poppies are one of my favorite wildflowers. I didn't get to see many this year because of this crazy staying at home time, so I thought I would paint some. These were done in my Strathmore watercolor journal for World Watercolor Month.

Oak Trees and Golden Grasses

Santa Ynez Trail, 6x8" gouache on watercolor paper

This is day 4 of my World Watercolor Challenge, hoping I will catch up sometime during July. I love the Santa Ynez Valley, this time of year the hills are a golden color and the oaks trees stand out so beautifully with the rich dark green leaves.

A Yellow Billed Magpie for Day 3

Gouache on Strathmore toned tan paper

I love the Yellow Billed Magpies that hang out in the trees around our home. They are such beautiful birds and are only found in the Central California Area. This is for day 3 of the World Watercolor Challenge 2020, I am a day behind so hopefully I will catch up today.
I pray everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July!

Day 1 and 2 of World Watercolor Month Challenge 2020

                                           Day 1                                                

   

Day 2

I have not posted on my blog for over two years! I have been busy on other social medium platforms like Instagram and Facebook. I decided to take a break from Facebook and start posting here on my blog again.
I am participating in World Watercolor Month 2020 and these two gouache paintings are day l and 2.
I have been painting in gouache lately and really enjoying it. I love the velvety mat finish, it reminds me a lot of my pastels but less messy!
Day 1 is an oak tree that grows next to my house and day 2 is the house finches that live in it. There are other birds that call the tree home at different times too, like Magpies, Crows, Scrubjays, Owls,  and of course I can't forget about the Acorn Woodpeckers that hide their acorn stash in the tree.

Day 30 is Finally Here!

"Renewal" 30" x 24" oil on canvas

This has been a great challenge but I am so relieved that this is the last day! It's been a wonderful exercise because it has pushed me to be more creative and to go out of my comfort zone a few time. Hope everyone had a great time with this challenge and thanks to Leslie Saeta for hosting it!

Catching up on my 30 paintings in 30 days

Day 29,  8 x 19" Pastel on paper

Day 28, 8 x 6" Oil on board

Day 27,  5 x 7" Oil on board

Day 26, 6 x 6" Oil on board

Well, I really got behind on the challenge so I thought I would take the opportunity to post 4 more paintings that are in my current show at Very Ventura Gift Shop and Gallery in Ventura. I am hoping to get a painting done tonight and post tomorrow for the last day of the challenge!

Day 25 of 30 Painting in 30 Days

6" x 6" oil on board

Just finished day 25 and hoping to get caught up tomorrow! I feel myself running out of steam a little, I am glad there are only 5 days left!

Day 24 of 30 paintings in 30 days

7" x 12" Pastel

This is a little bit of an odd size because I decided to use one of my scrap pieces of pastel paper.
I have so many odd sizes that I am going to have to start using them! I do prefer to use standard sizes because they are much easier to frame!
I also tried to pick up colors that I usually don't use for this one, I need to do that more often because I may just discover a new color combination that I love!

Day 23 of 30 in 30 Challenge

8" x 8" pastel

Decided to continue exploring abstracts for day 23 of 30 in 30. I have not done a lot of abstracts in my art career and I have to say they are a lot more difficult than you think! This is a little study for a larger work, it's much easier for me to get it worked out on a smaller canvas or paper before trying to go big.

Day 20, 21 and 22 for 30 paintings in 30 days

9" x 12" Pastel

18" x 24" Pastel

9" x 12" Pastel

I am 3 days behind again! So I thought I would post these works that are in my current exhibit at Very Ventura Gift Shop and Gallery.  I am exhibiting with my friend Shannon Celia who is showing her beautiful abstracts and local beach scenes. Our exhibit is called " Sea to Skyscapes" and we will be there also during the Ventura Artwalk on October 7 and 8.

Day 19 of 30 paintings in 30 days

6 x 8" pastel

Had fun with this today, going out of my comfort zone once again. I might go out of my comfort zone even further and try painting this much bigger and in oil.

Day 18 of 30 paintings in 30 days

6 x 6" pastel

Very happy to get day 18 done, now what I should do is back in my studio and get day 19 started! This was done on Uart paper and It is 240 grit, I usually always use 400 grit but this was sent to me by accident and I decided to keep it and try it out. I think I still prefer my 400 grit but this wasn't too bad, just a little more effort to cover the paper. I might try this subject on a larger paper piece of the 240 grit and see how I like it.

Days 15, 16 and 17 for 30 paintings in 30 days

Day 15 - Pastel

Day 16 - Pastel

Day 17 - Pastel

I decided to do 3 small abstract, 6 x 6" and try to keep each one under 15 minutes. This was totally out of my comfort zone and so different for those who know my usual style of work. It was actually freeing and fun and I might just continue to explore abstracts.

Day 13 of the 30 in 30 challenge

6" x 6" pastel

Inspired by a hillside behind Ventura City Hall near where I live. I have always been tempted to paint this hillside and now I think I am going to have to paint a bigger version!

Day 12 - Fresh off the Easel

6" x 6" pastel

I'm caught up again! Just finished day 12, which is a small study of a larger work I want to paint. Now I can get back in the studio and actually get tomorrows done!

30 Paintings in 30 days - Day 10 and 11

"Blushing Sky" 14" x 18" Pastel

 "Radiance" 9" x 12" Pastel

I am running behind again, but I feel like I need to post something! So am posting two more paintings that will be in my show at Very Ventura Gift Shop and Gallery in Ventura this Saturday, September 16, from 6-8.
Now to get day 12 done!

A Lot of Color for Day 9

6x6" Pastel

I think I was in a colorful mood today! It's l:30 in the afternoon and I think this is the earliest I have posted a painting during the 30 in 30 challenge, maybe I can even get ahead!

A Red Onion for Day 8

6x6" pastel

A red onion for day 8! This little 6x6" pastel was fun to do, I love all the interesting layers an onion has. Maybe I will do this in oil too.

30 paintings in 30 days - Day 6 and 7

"The Light After The Storm" 19x19" Pastel

"Evening Serenade" 14x18" Pastel

Still running behind on my 30 paintings in 30 days challenge because of getting ready for my exhibit on September 16 at Very Ventura Gift Shop and Gallery in Ventura, So for days 6 and 7 I have posted two pastels that will be in the show. Hopefully today I can get back on track for day 8!